Honda has used the CRF450R motocross as a base for the 450L with significant changes to make it suitable for the trails.
Both fuelling and ignition maps are now managed by an 02 lambda sensor; compression ratio has been lowered and crank mass increased for improved drivability. The gearbox is a 6-speed – for longer legs on the road – and a cush drive has been added to the 18-inch Enduro spec rear wheel.
The plastics are lifted directly from the CRF450R and all lighting is LED. Increased volume for the titanium fuel tank adds range and all the items that make the CRF450L ready to purchase as a licensed, road going machine – such as speedometer, horn, indicators and mirrors – are standard. Honda claims the CRF450L is designed to go 32,000km between major strip downs.
While the chassis was more straightforward to convert from CRF450R specification to dual-purpose, the 449cc engine needed adaptation for road compliance and to ensure it was usable for a wide variety of riders in many differing situations both on and off-road.
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While the fundamental architecture of the four-valve Unicam powerplant remains the same, many details have been changed to support the broader role: the crank’s mass has been increased, resulting in 13% more inertia which, for a trail rider, equals improved torque feel and response; valve timing has been revised to give the broader, smoother spread of power and torque; the gearbox is now 6-speed, rather than 5 for longer range use on tarmac; left and right engine covers wear outer covers to reduce noise; Elsewhere, the ACG has been uprated, to provide the required electrical power for the LED lights and to maintain battery charge during lower-speed running. The battery itself is a high-volume unit (Lithium Ion) Bore and stroke are unchanged from the CRF450R, at 96mm x 62.1mm, but the piston uses 3 rings instead of 1 for greater durability. Compression ratio is 12.0:1 (compared 13.5:1).
The redesigned airbox feeds the PGM-FI, managed by a lambda sensor in the large-volume single exhaust (which replaces the ‘stubby’ dual-pipe design of the CRF450R). An Air Injection (AI) system and catalyser clean up the spent gases. The four-valve Unicam cylinder head features a finger rocker arm on the inlet valves; valve lift is 10mm with 8.8mm exhaust valve lift. Inlet valve diameter is 38mm. The valve springs are oval in cross section and valve angle is 9° intake/10.5° exhaust. The clutch spins 7 friction discs with a 2mm clutch plate efficiently dissipating heat; the springs generate a good, consistent connection.
Having received a ground-up redesign in 2016, the CRF450Rs chassis was a perfect place for the CRF450L to start from, with changes to match the machine’s broader usage range.
Firstly, the tapered dual-spar aluminium beam frame was made slightly wider at the swingarm pivot points, to allow for the greater engine width resulting from the 6-speed gearbox. The headstock was modified to mount a steering lock and the aluminium swingarm injected with urethane to reduce noise. The rear subframe is the same, with mounting point adjusted to take the taillight and the right-exit single exhaust muffler. Rake and trail are set at 28.2°/123mm with wheelbase increased 3mm from the CRF450R to 1495mm, for greater stability. Both the R and the L feature 22mm fork offset and the same 466mm swingarm pivot point height. Kerb weight is 131.5kg.
A 49mm Showa steel-sprung USD fork – adjustable for preload plus compression damping – is matched by a fully adjustable Showa rear shock, operated through Pro-Link. A 260mm wave-pattern disc delivers effective heat dissipation, power and feel from the two-piston brake calliper working it; a matching 240mm wave-pattern disc and single-piston calliper is at the rear. Whereas the CRF450R machine uses a 19-inch rear wheel, the CRF450L has an 18-inch (to fit enduro-spec tyres), with the addition of a cush drive to absorb chain shock; a sealed 520 chain is protected by a plastic chain guard. The front wheel is a 21-inch and both rims are finished in black. Tyres are sized 80/100-21 front and 120/80-18 rear.
ENGINE
ENGINE TYPE 449cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder
BORE AND STROKE 96mm x 62.1mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 12.0:1
CARBURATION PGM-FI
TRANSMISSION 6-speed
STARTER Electric
FINAL DRIVE Chain
SUSPENSION
FRONT USD fork, 305mm travel
REAR link swing arm, 300mm travel
BRAKES
FRONT1x 260mm disc
REAR1x 240mm disc
TYRES
FRONT80/100-21
REAR120/80-18
RAKE AND TRAIL 28°30′ and 122mm
FRAME
DIMENSIONS (LXWXH) 2280mm x 825mm x 1,260mm
WHEELBASE 1,500mm
SEAT HEIGHT 940mm
GROUND CLEARANCE 315mm
FUEL CAPICITY 7.6 litres
KERB WEIGHT 131kg
